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Mid-Week at DeSoto Hills continues to be such a blessing as I see so many people on campus. I suppose at times it can be like a 3-Ring Circus as we move from place to place and from one schedule to another. The afternoon begins with Youth Choir at 5:00 and 6th Grade Choir starting at 5:15. Mission Organizations for children meet at 6:00, while at the same time adults are welcome to gather in the MPC for a time of Praise, Prayer, and Proclamation. We sing, take prayer requests, and then I share a short thought from the Word. Right now I am trying to finish up a study in Psalms that we started at Carriage Hills. At 6:30, adults are dismissed to take advantage of a variety of discipleship opportunities that are being offered in small group settings, including the “Discovering DeSoto Hills” class that is held in the MPC. Children’s Choir and the weekly Youth Service also start at 6:30, while F.A.I.T.H. teams are heading out with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Church is the Wednesday night place to be, and I hope you will make it your place this week. Come experience a mid-week boost at DeSoto Hills.

Bro. James

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
I Timothy 2:1

Greetings to the Blaylock Bunch from Bob “Chili Dog” Benson. Those of you that were at the Fall Festival will understand that nickname…for those of you that missed it, you really missed a special treat seeing me in plastic restaurant gloves dipping out the chili dogs and pretending I was at a ball game calling “get your hot dogs”. I had a lot of fun and I hope everyone there enjoyed the Festival [and hopefully, I did not give too many people heartburn with those delicious chili dogs

This was another great day for our church…another packed Sunday School class, another capacity worship crowd, and a great turnout for the fellowship and fun at the fall festival. There is a certain electricity in the air being part of something new and exciting like the birth of Desoto Hills and I feel truly blessed that week after week I am seeing the Lord’s hand on this church. He has already done some wonderful things in the short life of this church and I truly believe the best is yet to come. If you have not caught the fever yet, then I encourage you to get involved, find something to do, find somewhere you can serve and get swept away in the holy flood the Lord is creating through this body of believers. (more…)

The days ahead for DeSoto Hills promise to be both exciting and challenging. Already we are experiencing “growing pains,” and are constantly rethinking, rearranging and at times reprioritizing our plans. What an absolutely wonderful problem to face. As someone told me recently, it is better to be overwhelmed than under-whelmed. I want to thank members, and visitors alike, for your patience as we iron out the wrinkles that are inevitable in a move of this magnitude. As we move forward it is critical that we continue to have leadership in the form of deacon-servants who understand their role and are willing to step up to the plate and serve the Body of Christ. Next Sunday, November 5, you will have an opportunity to vote on men who have been nominated to serve as Deacons at DeSoto Hills. I pray that the end result of your decision will be like that in Acts 6:7 after those original deacons were chosen.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Bro. James

A real plus of a new church start is that the famous and often over used phrase, “we have never done it that way before,” is really a mute point. One major change for DeSoto Hills is the way we receive and hopefully retain new members. I am extremely excited about taking visitors and new members alike through what we are calling “Discovering DeSoto Hills.” This four week course is designed to help them understand what, who, and why we are. It is open to everyone and will be offered on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi Purpose Center. Each session is really independent of the other, so you can start your “Discovery” at any session and rotate through until you have completed all four. I hope you charter members will also find some time to take this class. If the Wednesday schedule is a hardship for you, please let us know. From time to time we will offer the class at an alternative time. If you choose to go through the sessions prior to joining then we would not require that you go through it again. If you have any questions, please call the church at 890-2452. I believe these sessions will be used to strengthen the Body of Christ at DeSoto Hills.

Tonight we are in for a real treat. Dr. Jim Futral from the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board will be with us. He is a gifted communicator of God’s Word. Bro. Mark and the adult choir will be leading us in praise. Our Sunday night praise band is helping out a church this morning, but will be leading us again in a couple of weeks.

Thankful to be on the Journey,

Bro. James

Welcome to the first of what I pray will be a rich history of services at Desoto Hill Baptist. It has been a long, and at times, difficult journey that has brought us to this place; but, we stand here today as a testimony to His patience and faithfulness. For those of you visiting with use we want to remind you that we are a part of a larger family. We pause to remember those who decided to remain at Farmington. Even as we celebrate here today they are hearing from, and voting on, a new pastor. We lift them up today as they are doing the same for us. Thank you for joining us and if you are looking for a FRESH START perhaps the Lord has you here to join us on this on-goin journey of discovery. Dear wuth us as we work out the kinks in our new building. Our sports floor did not make it here in time for the opening, be we anticipate it being installed in the near future. If you have questions for us today, please don’t hesitate to ask someone. May the Lord’s face shine upon us as we seem to make Him known to DeSoto County and the world.
Bro. James

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
I Timothy 2:1

Were you there? Were you able to be there at the first service for Desoto Hills Baptist Church? If not, you missed one of the most powerful worship services I have ever experienced!!

The house was packed. As an usher and greeter at the south door, I can tell you we ran out of bulletins quickly and the people kept coming. We moved chairs out of storage and out of class rooms just to make sure everyone had a seat and the people kept coming. The music was uplifting and Maurie Wright and her dad, Randy Jones, brought the house to their feet in celebration with a song about the new Jerusalem. And it was obvious that Brother James was excited about the “Fresh Start” available to us all through our new church home. The collection plates were full of visitor cards and I saw many friendly faces that I have not seen since we left Trinity. The grand hall was swarming with people after the service and smiles were everywhere. What a day…what a glorious day….and what an extraordinary worship service to lead us all on the journey of touching our community for Christ through the family of Desoto Hills. It has been a long time — maybe too long — since I left morning worship feeling as high as I do right now and I hope I can adequately put into words just how jazzed I am about my personal experience as the Lord descended on our church this morning. May we all seek to fulfill the mission God has given this fellowship of believers through this new location.
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“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
I Timothy 2:1

We are only 5 days away from our first worship service at Desoto Hills Church and I am looking forward to this family of believers gathering on Getwell to experience the Holy Spirit descend on our new church in the same way He descended on Jesus when He was baptized by John the Baptist. For many of you long time Carriage Hills members, you have been waiting for this day long before Kelley and I ever joined your family. For some of you newer members, the wait has been very short. But I hope that whether your waiting period was long or short, that we all share one enthusiasm for our new church home and the ministry opportunities it will bring as we seek to reach the lost and unchurched in new neighborhoods.
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